SERVE IN PERFECTION AND WALK BLAMELESSLY! - Psalm 84

Yehoshua/Joshua 24:14 “And now, fear יהוה, serve Him in perfection and in truth, and put away the mighty ones which your fathers served beyond the River and in Mitsrayim, and serve יהוה!”

These were some of the words that Yehoshua spoke to Yisra’ĕl during his final speech and in these ‘last words’ of Yehoshua that were spoken to the whole of Yisra’ĕl, he challenged them to serve יהוה without hypocrisy. Here in this verse we are able to see that Yehoshua was clearly presenting Yisra’ĕl with the responsibility of possessing the inheritance that יהוה had given them and what the effectual results of choosing יהוה were, or would entail; as we see that in this call for set-apartness being given to a people who had been redeemed and delivered, comes the very clear instruction to ‘fear יהוהand serve Him in perfection and in truth!’ These words continued to grip my attention as I was going through the final address of Yehoshua to a chosen and called out people that had been caused to enter in to the promised inheritance.

As part of his final words we are able to identify how the clear call being given here is still alive for each of us today, as we are to take heed of the Master’s instructions and work out our deliverance with fear and trembling, which is what Yehoshua was basically telling Yisra’ĕl to do here in his final words.

The responsibility of possessing our inheritance in the Master begins with a reverent fear of יהוה – and we know that the fear of יהוה is the beginning of wisdom. We are to have such a high and devoted reverence for Him that we would not even think about displeasing Him in any way, so much so that that the reverence of who He is, and what He has done for us, would cause us to continually make right choices in line with His Word. When we fail to do this, we are in fact in danger of not heeding this clear instruction to ‘NOW’ fear יהוה. True fear of Elohim equips the believer to ‘serve’ Him; and Yehoshua tells us how we are to serve Him:

IN PERFECTION AND IN TRUTH

In a message called ‘SERVE IN PERFECTION AND WALK BLAMELESSLY!’ I would like us to be reminded of the clear instructions that we have been given throughout the Word of Elohim, calling us to set-apartness and the need to serve in perfection and walk blamelessly before our Mighty Master and Elohim. I would like us to take a closer look at Tehillah/Psalm 84 as we learn to recognise the true blessing of walking blamelessly, but before we do so I just want to dig a little into the words of Yehoshua and understand why I am making the connection from his words to that which we see in Tehillah/Psalm 84.

The Hebrew root word that is translated as ‘perfection’ is the adjective תָּמִיםtamiym – Strong’s H8549, meaning ‘perfect, without blemish, complete, sound, and blameless, without defect’, and comes from the primitive root verb תָּמַםtamam – Strong’s H8552 meaning, ‘to be complete, to be finished, be at an end’.

יהוה is perfect and His work is perfect and He calls us to be ‘perfect’, in Him! The Word calls for us to serve יהוה with a perfect heart!

Berěshith/Genesis 17:1 “And it came to be when Aḇram was ninety-nine years old, that יהוהappeared to Aḇram and said to him, “I am Ěl Shaddai – walk before Me and be perfect.”

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 18:13 “Be perfect before יהוה your Elohim”

Mattithyahu/Matthew 5:48 ““Therefore, be perfect, as your Father in the heavens is perfect.”

To ‘be perfect’ is often a hard expectation for many to embrace and live out when it is understood in the wrong way. What does it mean to be perfect or have a perfect heart? Well, to not have a perfect heart often speaks of one who may have begun well yet did not endure to the end! It can speak of one who does not carry on to completion that which they are called to do! It can be a: ‘doing right, but…’ kind of scenario, or: ‘I was, but…’. What we are to recognise is that there are to be no ‘buts’ in our committed life unto יהוה!

What does ‘perfect’ mean? The English word ‘perfect’ signifies ‘being complete, sound, upright, or blameless’ and ‘the attainment of maturity.’

According to the Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, the word ‘perfect’ is defined as:

While many may often feel totally inadequate in their ability to be perfect as instructed, we are able to recognise, even from this English definition that, while we are have all sinned and fallen short of the esteem of Elohim, in the Master we are equipped to perfection through His life, death and resurrection!

He came to redeem us from lawlessness and sin and He who knew no sin became sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of Elohim. He satisfied all the requirements of redemption and has now given us access in Him to be perfect and serve Him in perfection by corresponding to the clear standard of His Word, enabling us to reproduce the original and be ‘letter-perfect’ and ‘legally valid’ – as long as we stay in Him and walk as he walked!

The adjective תָּמִיםtamiym – Strong’s H8549 is used 91 times in Scripture and is translated as ‘perfect, without blemish, complete or full’. So, when we are instructed to be תָּמִיםtamiym (perfect), we are being instructed that we are to be complete and be mature, in both our thoughts and actions. We are called and required to move on to maturity, which comes through the perseverance of trials, in order to be complete and not lack anything. It is those who are immature – those who stay on the milk of the Word, who cannot walk perfect before יהוה. Although many ought to be teachers by now, they have not moved on to maturity in the Word and stumble continually through their inability to take responsibility of seeking, learning and growing in the Truth as they would either wait for others to spoon feed them continually, or hold fast to and rely upon the man-made traditions that have held people captive on milk.

In the Hebrew there is another word which we see being translated as perfect:

1 – שָׁלֵםshalĕm– Strong’s H8003– which means ‘pure, complete, safe, at peace, perfect, whole, finished, blameless, full’. This is used in the Hebrew as an adjective, as in a ‘perfect’ heart:

Melaḵim aleph/1Kings 8:61 “Let your heart therefore be perfect to יהוהour Elohim, to walk in His laws and guard His commands, as at this day.”

Understanding these two Hebrew words that are used interchangeably throughout the Scriptures in referring to perfection in serving יהוה, we can understand that the meaning of perfect is, ‘to be upright, totally obedient, to finish what was started and have a constant obedience’.

So how do we keep a perfect heart before יהוה? It starts with being open before יהוה, allowing Him to deal with those imperfections that are in our heart:

Tehillah/Psalms 139: 23-24 “Search me, O Ěl, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; 24 and see if an idolatrous way is in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Dawiḏ was willing for יהוה to search him and try his heart: a perfect heart is a searchable heart, which means we allow יהוה to penetrate and examine deeply into our thoughts and emotions. The false teachings today tell you that as long as your heart doesn’t condemn you then you are ok and the Blood of יהושע has cleansed you, yet they fail to neglect what it says prior to this:

Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John 1:6-7 “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and are not doing the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of יהושע Messiah His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

His Blood cleanses us yes, but we are to be walking in the light as He is – we are to be walking in His instructions with a perfect heart inclining to walk in the perfect knowledge of His Loving Word!

A perfect heart is a heart that has the Torah written upon it and submits to the clear Authority of our Master and Elohim!

We are to ‘serve’ in perfection and in truth!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘serve’ comes from the primitive root verb עָבַדaḇaḏ – Strong’s H5647 meaning, ‘to work, serve, observe, do the work, cultivate, worship’ and carries the understanding of ‘expending considerable energy and intensity in performing a task or function’ – in other words – ‘giving it your all’!

It is from this word that we get the word that is used for ‘servant’, which is the word עֶבֶדeḇeḏ – Strong’s H5650 meaning, ‘servant, slave, bondservant’; and as a child of Yisra’ĕl, which we have become by the Blood of Messiah, we are servants of יהוה:

Wayyiqra/Leviticus 25:55 “Because the children of Yisra’ĕl are servantsto Me, they are My servantswhom I brought out of the land of Mitsrayim. I am יהוה your Elohim.”

True service that is perfect must be done ‘in Truth’ or else it is just vain service!

In Hebrew the word for ‘truth’ is אֱמֶתemeth – Strong’s H571 which means, ‘truth, firmness, faithfulness’, and this word carries an underlying sense of certainty and dependability – and we know that The Word of יהוה is truth:

Tehillah/Psalm 119:151 “You are near, O יהוה, and all Your commands are truth.”

Tehillah/Psalm 119:160 “The sum of Your word is truth, and all Your righteous right-rulings are forever.”

Anyone who claims to serve יהוה without walking in and giving heed to follow His Torah, commands and instructions are not serving in Truth, and those who claim that the Torah/Law of Elohim has been done away with are sadly riddled with the leaven of the hypocrisy of man’s theologies and dogmas that seeks only to serve self rather than the Giver of Life, while claiming the opposite!

The Greek word that is translated here as ‘truth’ is the word ἀλήθειαalētheia – Strong’s G225 which means, ‘truth, truly, according to truth’.

The Master יהושע Messiah tells us clearly in Yoḥanan/John 14:6 that He is the Way, the Truthand the Life – and to walk in the Truth is to walk in Him: in Him in whom there is not spot or blemish or any deceit of falsehood! To walk in Him is to walk according to the Truth and in purity of the Truth, as we hear, guard and do His commands.

True service unto Elohim can only be done according to the clear set-apart standard that his Word instructs us in and by His Blood he has cleansed us from all unrighteousness so that we are well equipped to serve in perfection walk blamelessly before Him!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘inperfection’ in Yehoshua/Joshua 24:14 is written as follows: בְּתָמִים – betamiym. As you will notice, the letter ‘bet’ – בְּ– is used as a preposition to the word תָּמִיםtamiym – Strong’s H8549 and renders the meaning of ‘in’. It was this word that gripped me as I was meditating on this passage and I therefore did a search to see where else we are able to find this same construct being used and it is only used in one other verse, which is in:

Tehillah/Psalm 84:11 “For יהוהElohim is a sun and a shield; יהוהgives favour and esteem; He withholds no good matterfrom those who walk blamelessly.”

This verse translates בְּתָמִים – betamiym as ‘blamelessly’ and could also be translated as ‘in perfection’ as we recognise how we are to serve and walk in perfection, for he has blessed us with all we need to do so:

Eph’siyim/Ephesians 1:3-4 “Blessed be the Elohim and Father of our Master יהושעMessiah, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Messiah, 4 even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be set-apart and blameless before Him in love”

From the words of Yehoshua and the words of Tehillah/Psalm 84 we are able to recognise the need for us, as called out and chosen servants of the Most High, that we are to serve and walk in perfection! This Psalm makes it clear to us that יהוה withholds no good matter from those who walk בְּתָמִים – betamiym! Those who walk in perfection or walk blamelessly have no good matter withheld from them!

As I pondered on these words I was gripped by the power of this Psalm and therefore would like to go through this Psalm and glean from it the joyous praise that is given unto Elohim and blessing for those who walk blamelessly, or in perfection!

The Hebrew term ‘Gittith’ is a Hebrew musical term and this word גִּתִּיתgittith – Strong’s H1665 which means ‘wine-press’ and is often a song title that is used for the feast of booths as is only used 3 times: here in this Psalm as well as in Tehillah/Psalm 8 and 81, all of which are Psalms of praise connected to restoring the Creation account of Elohim dwelling with His people, which will again take place when he comes to ‘booth’ with us!

This Tehillah/Psalm 84 is a song of praise for יהוה and His Dwelling Place! This was possibly a song that was sung by those who came to Yerushalayim for one of the Feasts, possibly even Sukkoth (Feast of Booths), and here in this beautiful melody we are able to see how the Dwelling Place of Elohim is praised for being the most desirable place in the entire world!!! How awesome is that! Just think about the words that are being expressed here toward the Dwelling Place of Elohim and the desire to be there being clearly expressed through this song of praise for יהוה.

If you could be anywhere in the world right now where would you want to be? I suppose that for most, if asked this question, would not be in the Dwelling Place of Elohim!

Basic outline of this Psalm:

This psalm opens with praise for the Dwelling Place of יהוה of Hosts and those who live there (verses 1-4).

Praise and blessing is also expressed for the faithful sojourner who comes to the Dwelling Place (verse 5-7)

Following these blessings and praise, a prayer for the sovereign is given (verse 8-9)

The desire to be anywhere else is greatly overshadowed and diminished by the awesome blessing of being in the Dwelling Place of Elohim (verse 10)

Elohim is praised as being the only true source of all joy, strength and security and the blessing upon those who trust in Elohim is greatly affirmed (verse 11-12)

In verse 1 (verse 2 in Hebrew text) we see the praise being given for the ‘Dwelling places’ of יהוה of Hosts and it is written here in the ‘plural’, which can in many ways signify the greatness of His House that has many rooms!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘Your Dwelling Places’ is written as: מִשְׁכְּנוֹתֶיךָ – mishkenotheyḵawhich comes from the root word מִשְׁכָּןmishkan – Strong’s H4908 which means, ‘dwelling place, tabernacle, tents’; and comes from the root word שָׁכַןshaḵan – Strong’s H7931 which means, ‘to settle down, abide, dwell, establish, make or cause to dwell’. The term מִשְׁכָּןmishkan is used here in the plural sense, and we take note that this is the same word used in the singular for ‘The Tabernacle’.

The root word used here for ‘dwellings’ is from the root word מִשְׁכָּןmishkan – Strong’s H4908 and the root word used here for ‘tents’ is the plural of the root word אֹהֶלohel – Strong’s H168 which means, ‘tent’ and is symbolic of wilderness life, and this is also the same word used for the Tabernacle.

We take note that both these words - אֹהֶלohel and מִשְׁכָּןmishkan are used for the Tabernacle and there is often the questioned raised of whether one represents the inner part of the Tabernacle while the other the outer, yet this cannot be definitively shown. What we do recognise however is that in the uses of these two words that are collectively used for the Tabernacle, we may be able to see that the אֹהֶלohel is often the place where man/congregation meets with Elohim; whereas the מִשְׁכָּןmishkan may be likened to the expression of Elohim dwelling amidst the nation of Yisra’ĕl.

Let me expand a little more on the dwelling place:

In Shemoth/Exodus 38:21 we see that the word מִשְׁכָּןmishkan being used and linked to ‘the witness’ – ‘ha eḏuth’:

Shemoth/Exodus 38:21 “These were the appointments of the Dwelling Place, the Dwelling Placeofthe Witness, which was appointed by the command of Mosheh, for the service of the Lěwites, by the hand of Ithamar, son of Aharon the priest.”

The Hebrew word here for ‘witness’ is עֵדוּתeḏuth– Strong’s H5715 which means, ‘testimony, witness, ordinance, warning’, and this is the word that is used for ‘The Ark of the Witness’.

In Wayyiqra/Leviticus 1:1 we see the word אֹהֶלohel being used and linked to ‘Meeting’ or ‘Appointement’:

Wayyiqra/Leviticus 1:1 “And יהוהcalled to Mosheh, and spoke to him from the Tentof Appointment, saying”

The Hebrew word for ‘Appointment’ is מוֹעֵדmoeḏ – Strong’s H4150 meaning, ‘appointed time, place, meeting, appointed feast’, from which we get the plural word for Appointed Times – מוֹעֲדִים‘moeḏim’, and right in the beginning, during the Creation Week, Elohim announces to us that He will have ‘appointed times’; and the way we are to know when these times would be are determined by the lights in the expanse of the heavens which were given for us to not only determine the season, months and day and night but also for His all-important Appointed Times. His Appointed Times are clearly given to us in Wayyiqra/Leviticus 23 (see Torah commentary notes on Wayyiqra/Leviticus 23 for more on the Appointed Times of יהוה)

The first times that we see the Hebrew word מִשְׁכָּןmishkan being used is in:

Shemoth/Exodus 25:9 “According to all that I show you – the pattern of the Dwelling Placeand the pattern of all its furnishings – make it exactly so.”

Here we see how Mosheh was instructed to build the Dwelling Place exactly according to the pattern that he was shown – that is the pattern of what he was shown in the heavenlies, where Elohim dwells!

The word for ‘tents’ - אֹהֶלohel is used in Berěshith/Genesis 4 in describing man’s dwelling as ‘tents’.

What we can therefore be enabled to understand in the use of these two words is that the אֹהֶלohel pictures our sojourning here, as ‘in the tents of Ya’aqoḇ’ and how we have been given the Appointed Times/Feasts of יהוה for us to come and meet with Him in the “Tent of Appointment” at the place where He chooses; whereas the מִשְׁכָּןmishkan pictures for us the fullness of the Dwelling of Elohim in our midst.

The word used for ‘Dwelling Place’ in Shemoth/Exodus 38:21, as discussed, is מִשְׁכָּןmishkan, and in the LXX (Septuagint) the Greek word that is used for ‘dwelling place’ is σκηνήskēnē – Strong’s G4633 which means, ‘tent, dwelling, tabernacle’; and this word is used to describe the Dwelling Place of Elohim that will be with men, in:

Ḥazon/Revelation 21:3 “And I heard a loud voice from the heaven saying, “See, the Boothof Elohim is with men, and He shall dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and Elohim Himself shall be with them and be their Elohim.”

This is the Tabernacle that Yoḥanan saw in:

Ḥazon/Revelation 15:5 “And after this I looked and saw the Dwelling Place of the Tentof Witness in the heaven was opened.”

Notice how this ‘Dwelling Place’ is referring to the Tent of Witness. The Greek word used here for ‘Dwelling Place’ is ναόςnaos – Strong’s G3485 which means, ‘to inhabit, a temple, sanctuary’.

While these words are interchangeably used for Tabernacle or Dwelling Place, we do take note that while we sojourn here, we must guard to keep the Appointed Times of our Master and Elohim, and gather as we should, for where two or three are gathered together, there our Master is in our midst, and Sha’ul reminds us in:

Qorintiyim Aleph/1 Corinthians 3:16-17 “Do you not know that you are a Dwelling Place of Elohim and that the Spirit of Elohim dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys the Dwelling Place of Elohim, Elohim shall destroy him. For the Dwelling Place of Elohim is set-apart, which you are.”

The Greek word used here for ‘Dwelling Place’ is ναόςnaos, and we take note here in the Greek that the term ‘you’ is in the plural, while the Dwelling Place is written in the singular, which emphasises our need to be gathered together on His Appointed Times that we may be one in Him and dwell in safety!

We are, collectively, the Dwelling Place of Elohim and His Dwelling Place is set-apart, which calls for us to acknowledge how important it is for us to be perfect and serve in perfection and walk blamelessly.

When we grasp the understanding of how we are to be faithful sojourners that carry the very light and presence of our Master and Elohim by the deposit of His Spirit that He has given us and His implanted Word, then we are greatly equipped with the longing we are to have for His permanent dwelling to be with us, giving us the necessary courage to endure and serve in perfection and in truth!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘lovely’, as in ‘how lovely are Your Dwelling Places…’ is יְדִידֹת – ‘yeḏiḏoth’ – which is the plural of the word יָדִידyaḏiḏ – Strong’s H3039 which means, ‘beloved, lovely, well-beloved’ and the basic meaning of this noun is ‘one greatly loved’ by Elohim or by man! This song expresses the intense and deep love that the psalmist has for the dwelling place of Elohim.

As we consider this deep expression of love for the dwelling place of Elohim let me ask you how strong your love is for the Dwelling Place of Elohim. In understanding how we long for His permanent dwelling to be in our midst, we also recognise how we are able to experience the joy of His presence as we gather together in His Sabbaths and Feasts! I therefore ask you, ‘How much do you love the Sabbaths and Appointed Times of Elohim?’ If your heart loves his dwelling places as this psalmist declares then missing an Appointed Time with Elohim would be out of the question as the love for His presence will cause you to make sure that His Appointments are never missed! So many often find excuses to not be gathered where they should and this just simply highlights that their love for Elohim is not as fervent as they may claim it to be.

In verse 2 of Tehillah/Psalm 84 we see how the psalmist declares how his being had longed and fainted for the courts of יהוה and how his heart and flesh cried out for the living Elohim

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘longed’ comes from the root word כָּסַףkasaph – Strong’s H3700 which means, ‘to long for, eager, shame’ and it written here in the ‘niphal’ verb tense which expresses the meaning of longing deeply for and what is worth taking note of is that a word that is derived from this primitive root verb is the Hebrew word for ‘silver’ which is כֶּסֶףkeseph – Strong’s H3701 and has the meaning of, ‘silver, money, purchase price’.

Shemoth/Exodus 30:16 “And you shall take the silver for the atonement from the children of Yisra’ĕl, and give it for the service of the Tent of Meeting. And it shall be to the children of Yisra’ĕl for a remembrance before יהוה, to make atonement for yourselves.”

The Tabernacle stood upon sockets of silver. Both Yosĕph and יהושע were sold for silver. Yehuḏah was paid off in silver as the Scriptures said.

Silver in Scripture is symbolic of the redemption that comes through יהושע Messiah and Him alone.

Silver also speaks of service and giving of oneself – the prefect work of Messiah:

Marqos/Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Aḏam did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

The deep longing for the courts of Elohim that is expressed here amplifies the longing for redemption to be made complete so that Elohim will come and make His permanent Dwelling among men!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘faints’ comes from the primitive root verb כָּלָהkalah – Strong’s H3615 which means ‘finished, completed, come to an end or accomplished’. This word is very similar to the root word כַּלָּהkallah – Strong’s H3618 which means ‘a bride’, which comes from the primitive root verb כָּלַלkalal – Strong’s H3634 which means, ‘to complete, perfect, perfected’. The reason I am mentioning this is to highlight the powerful imagery that these heartfelt words of longing for יהוה gives us, as we recognise how these words reflect the deep and intimate love and longing that a Bride, who has prepared Herself, has for Her coming Husband and King.

This deep intimate cry is emphasised here in him saying that his heart and flesh cries out for the living Elohim!

Everything within this psalmist is crying out for the Living Elohim.

The Hebrew wording used here for ‘living Ěl’ is אֵל־חָי– Ěl-ḥay and we find this term only being used 3 times in Scripture. The other two verses are:

Yehoshua/Joshua 3:10 “And Yehoshua said, “By this you shall know that the living Ělis in your midst, and that He is certainly driving out from before you the Kenaʽanites and the Ḥittites and the Ḥiwwites and the Perizzites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Yeḇusites:”

These were the words that Yehoshua spoke to the children of Yisra’ĕl just before they were about to cross the Yardĕn.

Hoshěa/Hosea 1:10 “Yet the number of the children of Yisra’ĕl shall be as the sand of the sea, which is not measured nor counted. And it shall be in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ they shall be called, ‘You are the sons of the living Ěl.’” (Hoshěa 2:1 in Hebrew text)

These are the prophetic words spoken of how the children of Yehuḏah and the children of Yisra’ĕl will be gathered together and have One Head, which is Messiah! When one takes time to consider the 3 occasions where we see the term: ‘living Ěl’ - אֵל־חָי– Ěl-ḥay – being used, we are able to understand the intense longing that this Psalm is crying out for; and that is to have the living Ěl’ is our midst and have the full complete body of Messiah gathered together as one in the Master and Elohim, יהושע Messiah!

We serve The Living Elohim – The Elohim of Life! יהושע Messiah is The Way, The Truth and The Life!

What we must guard against is the looking to the ‘letter of the Torah’ only; as we must recognise that the Torah without Messiah contains no life – but it is only in Messiah that true life of the Torah becomes something that can and does sustain us.

Tehillah/Psalm 36:9 “For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.”

יהושע is The Living Torah and our source of Life, or rather He is the Life of the Torah - and when we drink of Him – the FOUNTAIN OF LIFE begins to flow out of us as we gain understanding, and walk in the fear of יהוה by walking in the Torah, and our speech becomes a flowing source of life!!!

In the ancient pictographic symbols of this word, we are given a greater insight in understanding how יהושע Messiah is THE LIFE! This word - חַיḥayin the ancient script look like this:

Ḥet –חַ

The ancient script has this letter as which is a ‘tent wall’, and carries a meaning of ‘separation’, as a tent wall separates two halves of the tent; or it can also reflect the outside walls that separate the people inside from that which is outside and so can also symbolise protection and security to those inside, while picturing a cutting off of those who are outside. Hence this letter can mean ‘established, secure’ as well as ‘cut off, separated from’. As a tent wall we are also able to recognise the picture of stones being built up to make a complete wall.

Yod –י

The ancient script has this letter as which is ‘an arm and hand’ and carries the meaning of ‘work, make, throw’, from the primary functions of the arm and hand, and it also represents worship or giving thanks in the extending of hands as a gesture of this. The work of one’s hands is the basic meaning of this letter!

From this ancient pictographic lettering of the word for LIFE we are clearly able to see how by the work of Messiah – the outstretched arm and hand of Elohim, we as living stones, are built up in Him as the Dwelling Place of the Living Elohim!

What gives us our ability to be built up as living stones in the Master is our continued obedience to walking in that which is our life – His Torah!

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 32:45-47 “And when Mosheh ended speaking all these words to all Yisra’ĕl, 46 he said to them, “Set your heart on all the words with which I warn you today, so that you command your children to guard to do all the Words of this Torah. 47 “For it is not a worthless Word for you, because it is your life, and by this Word you prolong your days on the soil which you pass over the Yardĕn to possess.”

In verse 3 of Tehillah/Psalm 84 the psalmist declares how even the sparrow and swallow has found a home and in essence declares how blessed it is for anyone who has made יהוה their Dwelling Place and place to rest and find shelter. The sparrow has found and home and the swallow have made a nest where she puts her young ones by the ‘slaughter-place’ of Elohim! The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘Your slaughter-places’ is מִזְבְּחוֹתֶיךָ – mizbeḥotheyḵa – which is the plural of the root word מִזְבֵּחַmizbeaḥ - Strong’s H4196 meaning, ‘slaughter-place, altar’, which comes from the root verb זָבַחzaḇaḥ - Strong’s H2076 meaning, ‘to offer a sacrifice, sacrificed’.

We know that in the Tabernacle and temple there were two ‘slaughter-places’: the slaughter-place of bronze which was used for the burnt offerings, which was positioned between the gate and the bronze laver; and the golden slaughter place of incense which was in the Set-Apart Place before the veil that separated the Most Set-Apart Place from the Set-Apart place and was used for the burning of incense.

The picture here of the birds having made their homes and nests by the slaughter-places of Elohim carries a clear picture of how we are to ‘be at home’ in our ability to offer up our lives as a daily living offering and be steadfast in praying in all circumstances – the very thing that this psalmist yearned and longed to be doing at all times!

Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 13:15 “Through Him then, let us continually offer up a slaughter offering of praise to Elohim, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His Name.”

Tas’loniqim Aleph/1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in all circumstances give thanks, for this is the desire of Elohim in Messiah יהושעfor you.”

In Tehillah/Psalm 84:4 we see the blessing of those who dwell in House of Elohim being made very clear and the resulting actions of those who do so, as they are continually praising Elohim! This verse could, in a manner of speaking, possibly be expressed as follows: “What a blessing it is for those who dwell in Your House, for they are always praising You, and that is something to stop and think about!”

The Hebrew word that is used here for ‘blessed’ is אַשְׁרֵי – asherey which comes from the root word אֶשֶׁרesher – Strong’s H835 which means, ‘happiness, blessedness, bliss’, and comes from the root verb אָשַׁרashar – Strong’s H833 which means, ‘blessed, lead, guide, to go straight, make progress to be advanced, to be led forth’.

אֶשֶׁרesher – Strong’s H835 is used in:

Tehillah/Psalm 34:8 “Oh, taste and see that יהוה is good; blessedis the man that takes refuge in Him!”

A ‘blessed’ - אֶשֶׁרesher – Strong’s H835 – man is one who fears יהוה, takes refuge in יהוה and who trusts in יהוה completely, submitting completely under the authority of His Torah:

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 29:18 “Where there is no vision, the people are let loose, but blessedis he who guards the Torah.”

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘those who dwell’ is יוֹשְׁבֵי – yoshḇey which comes from the root word יָשַׁבyashaḇ – Strong’s H3427 meaning, ‘sit, dwell, remain, abide, inhabit, sitting still’. A modern word derived from this word which is translated as school is ‘yeshiva’. To ‘sit/dwell’ in the Hebraic min-set is often an idiom that us used for learning; and we know that it is at the Master’s Feet that we come and sit and drink of His Pure and Clear Living Water and get great clarity and insight and strength to sojourn with joy! The idea of sitting in the Hebrew mind-set here is to learn, and not to simply sit and vegetate but rather sit and pay attention to the instructions of their teacher.

Those who diligently come and learn from the Master are every praising Him! The Hebrew word for ‘praising’ comes from the root word הָלַלhalal Strong’s H1984 which means, ‘to shine; to be boastful; to be clear; to make a show; to rave; be foolish; to celebrate; praise, cheer, brag or extol, i.e., extol the greatness or excellence of a person, object or event’.

At the end of this verse there is a ‘Selah’, which in Hebrew is the word סֶלָהselah – Strong’s H5542 which means, ‘lift up, exalt’, and is used frequently in the Tehillim/Psalms as a technical musical term, probably showing accentuation, a pause, or an interruption, and is often understood as meaning, ‘pause and think about’, or ‘stop for a moment and consider what has just been said’. As we ‘pause and think’ about this verse we would do well to assess our own lives, through the mirror of the Word in determining how diligent am I being in my continual praise of Elohim or is it non-existent at times! How is your life of praise unto Elohim? Do you boast and shine and extol Him in all, or not?

Verse 5 continues to express the blessing of the one whose strength is in יהוה. Where do you find your strength? In Tehillah/Psalm 28 Dawiḏ declares the following:

Tehillah/Psalm 28:7-8 “יהוהis my strength, and my shield; My heart has trusted in Him, and I have been helped; therefore my heart exults, and with my song I thank Him. 8יהוהis the strength of His people, and He is the stronghold of deliverance of His anointed.”

The Hebrew word that is used here for ‘my strength’ is עֻזִּי – uzziy, which comes from the word עֹזoz – Strong’s H5797 which means, ‘strength, might, fortress, power, stronghold’, and this comes from the root verb עָזַזazaz – Strong’s H5810 which means, ‘to be strong, be brazen, prevail, display boldness’.

For more on these words of Dawiḏ please see the notes of a message called, “יהוה IS MY STRENGTH AND MY SHIELD!” which you can find under the ‘sermons 2016/2017’ menu on our site (http://atfotc.com) or by clicking on the following link:

Is יהוה your strength or not? Blessed are those whose strength is ion יהוה! When יהוה is your strength and you recognise and acknowledge the source of your strength being יהוה then His highways shall be in your hearts and you shall keep a firm stand on walking in complete set-apartness and be on guard against turning away from it!

The Hebrew word for ‘highway’ is מְסִלָּהmesillah – Strong’s H4546 which means, ‘a highway, course, courses, paths, steps’, and comes from the root word סָלַלsalal – Strong’s H5549 which means, ‘to lift up, build, exalt, prize, esteem highly’. The highway is a clear reference to the ‘main way’ that is to be walked upon and we recognise the clear reference to a highway of Elohim being that which refers to a steadfast walk of set-apartness where there is no compromise found!

Another noun that comes from סָלַלsalal – Strong’s H5549 and is translated as ‘highway’ is מַסְלוּלmaslul – Strong’s H4547 and we see this word being used in:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 35:8 “And there shall be a highway, and a way, and it shall be called “The Way of Set-apartness.” The unclean does not pass over it, but it is for those who walk the way, and no fools wander on it.”

The highway of the straight is the Way of Set-Apartness!!!

Understanding this makes it clear and obvious that the highway of the straight, upon which no fools wander on it, is a way that keeps one upright and able to properly turn away from all evil, and the one who guards himself to keep himself on the highway, the way of set-apartness, turns away from all evil!

The one’s who find their strength in Elohim have the way of set-apartness upon their hearts as they guard the Torah of Elohim which is written thereon.

As we consider this I ask you, ‘What is in your heart? Is the Highways of Elohim in your heart? Where does your heart lead you? Is Set-Apartness on your heart and causing you to serve in perfection and walk blamelessly?’

Verse 6-7 continues to express the effects or result of the one in whose heart is the highways of Elohim, for they pass through the valley of weeping, making it a fountain and the Teacher covers it with a blessing.

This carries very powerful imagery of the one who finds their strength in Elohim, even amidst the toughest of times!

What we see here being pictured for us is how the one who finds strength in Elohim does not get trapped in the valley of weeping but passes through it! This does not mean that we will not face hard and tearful times, but teaches us that we can pass through it with confident trust in Elohim being our strength in times of trouble and distress!

The Hebrew word that is used here for ‘passing through’ comes from the root verb עָבַרaḇar – Strong’s H5674 which means, ‘to pass over, pass through, cross over’ and wat is worth taking note of is that a derivative of this root verb is the Hebrew word עִבְרִיIḇri – Strong’s H5680 which in English is ‘Hebrew’ and means, ‘the one from beyond, the one who crossed over’. Aḇram was the first person to be called a Hebrew (Berěshith/Genesis 14:13) and we recognise this by his ‘crossing over’ of the Euphrates River, when leaving his father’s house and going into the Promised Land at the call and instruction of Elohim! Our ‘passing over’ or becoming a ‘Hebrew’ entails our ability to clearly listen to the commands of Elohim and guard TO DO THEM and being strengthened in them to be overcomers in Messiah and pass through the valley of weeping! Those who find strength in Elohim make the valley of weeping a fountain!

A fountain is a source of water and provision and understanding this imagery we are able to see that when we find strength in Elohim then He can make the valley of weeping a source of living water, giving us the ability to get through and pass over!

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 41:17-18 “When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongues have failed for thirst, I, יהוה, do answer them; I, the Elohim of Yisra’ĕl, do not forsake them. 18 “I open rivers on bare hills, and fountains in the midst of valleys; I make a wilderness become a pool of water, and a dry land springs of water.”

The Teacher covers it with a blessing! The Hebrew word that is used here for ‘teacher’ is the word מוֹרֶהmoreh – Strong’s H4175 which means both, ‘teacher’ and ‘rain’ and comes from the word יָרָהyarah – Strong’s H3384 from which we get the term ‘early rain’.

Yo’ĕl/Joel 2:23 “And you children of Tsiyon, be glad and rejoice in יהוה your Elohim, for He shall give you the Teacher of Righteousness, and cause the rain to come down for you, the former rain and the latter rain, as before.”

The word used for both ‘teacher’ and ‘former rain’ is the word מוֹרֶהmoreh – Strong’s H4175

The word used in the above verse for ‘latter rain’ is מַלְקוֹשׁmalqosh – Strong’s H4456 which is understood as the latter rain which matures the crops and comes from the same as the word לֶקֶשׁleqesh - Strong’s H3954 which means, ‘the after growth’ and the denominative verb of this is לָקַשׁlaqash – Strong’s H3953 which means, ‘to take the second crop, to take everything, to glean the harvest’.

What we recognise from the early and latter rain is that with the first coming of Messiah we can recognise that He came to ‘teach, instruct’ us and with His second coming as the latter rain, He is coming to take up a harvest of souls – He is coming to reap!!!

יהושע Messiah is both our Teacher of righteousness and He is the ‘gatherer of the after crop’ – He has come and shown us the way and taught us through His life, death and resurrection how we are to walk in Him and guard the Torah – when He comes again will He find faith – active faith that is seen in the diligent guarding and doing of His commands???

Those who find strength in Elohim will have the teaching rain of the Good Teacher giving them the blessing of a covering, while those who seek to find their strength from elsewhere are not covered and shall stand exposed and in danger of being washed away when the storm of the wrath of Elohim comes, for those who are not built on the Rock will perish!

The Hebrew word for ‘blessing’ is בְּרָכָהberaḵah – Strong’s H1293 which means, ‘a blessing, benefit, blessings, generous’ and comes from the primitive root - בָּרַךְbaraḵ – Strong’s H1288 and means, ‘to abundantly bless’ and literally carries the meaning, ‘to kneel or bow down, to show respect, to bring a gift to another while kneeling out of respect’.

The ancient script has this letter as , which pictures a tent floor plan and means, ‘house’ or ‘tent’. It represents family and the importance of those who are inside the tent as opposed to the tent structure itself.

Resh – רַ:

The ancient pictographic script has this letter pictured as , which is ‘the head of a man’ and carries the meaning of ‘top, beginning, first, chief’, as in being the top of the body or the head of a tribe and the one who rules; and also speaks of possession or inheritance that is decided by the chief.

Kaph – ךְ:

The ancient pictographic script has this letter pictured as – – which is a picture of an open palm of a handand can symbolise that to which submission is given – ‘under the hand’

Once again, we are able to clearly see who it is who blesses us –

The House/Assembly of Elohim is blessed as the Head/Chief, comes down and extends His open and revealed hand to His own!

Those who find their strength in Elohim and have the highway of set-apartness in their hearts shall be covered and blessed by Elohim and be caused to pass through the valley of weeping and be nourished by our Master and Teacher or Righteousness.

In verse 7 we see the results of passing through the valleys under the provision, protection and guidance of our Good Teacher: they will go from strength to strength!!! This is clear – they grow and mature in the Master!

When we understand the images that are being expressed here we are able to further understand the words of Ya’aqoḇ:

Ya’aqoḇ/James 1:2-4 “My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the proving of your belief works endurance. 4 And let endurance have a perfect work, so that you be perfect and complete, lacking in naught.”

The Hebrew word used here in verse 7 for ‘strength’ is חַיִלḥayil – Strong’s H2428 which means, ‘strength, efficiency, wealth, army, ability, capability, excellence’ and comes from the root word חִילḥil – Strong’s H2342 which means, ‘to be firm, strong, endure, prosper’. This is the same word that is used to describe the ‘able’ men that Mosheh’s father in law instructed him to seek out, as well as the ‘capable wife’ that Mishlĕ/Proverbs 31 speaks of.

Those who find strength in Elohim go from strength to strength and become capable and firm members of the body of Messiah! It is in the Master that we are equipped to go from strength to strength!

In the Hebrew ancient pictographic symbols the word for ‘capable,able, brave’ - חַיִלḥayil was written as follows:

- this is the Hebrew letter ‘ḥet’, which in the early script is pictured as a ‘tent wall’, and carries a meaning of ‘separation’, as a tent wall separates two halves of the tent, or can also reflect the outside walls that separate the people inside from that which is outside and so can also symbolise protection and security to those inside, while picturing a cutting off of those who are outside. Hence this letter can mean ‘established, secure’ as well as ‘cut off, separated from’. A wall is also built up by stones, which can also picture for us as living stones being built up in Messiah!

- this is letter ‘yad or yod’ which in the ancient script is pictured as ‘an arm and hand’ and carries the meaning of ‘work, make, throw’, from the primary functions of the arm and hand, and it also represents worship or giving thanks in the extending of hands as a gesture of this. The work of one’s hands is the basic meaning of this letter!

- this is the Hebrew letter ‘lamed’, which is pictured as a ‘shepherd’s staff’, representing ‘authority’ and can give the meaning of ‘to or toward’ and can represent that which pushes or pulls a flock in a direction, and can speak of authorityor a yoke that is used to lead and guide, as well as the ability to bring back by Authority, as well as be submitted under the Authority of the Good Shepherd!

When we see these letters in the ancient script being used to describe someone who is considered ‘brave, andable’ we can certainly glean from this the following:

The true brave and able one in the body of Messiah is the one who truly represents what it means to be separated as a living stone, and submitted to doing the work of obedient service, being led under the Authority of our Good Shepherd, and equipped to teach and lead others to maturity in Messiah!

Those who go from strength to strength appear before Elohim! This is a powerful promise for those who stay in the Master, for they shall see Him face to face when He comes for His capable Bride!

In verse 8 we see the cry of psalmist who desires and seeks to be strengthened in the Master as he asks that his cry be heard. We know that Scriptures tells us that יהוה hears the cry of the righteous.

Tehillah/Psalm 34:15 “The eyes of יהוהare on the righteous, and His ears unto their cry.”

Tehillah/Psalm 34:17 “The righteous cried out, and יהוהheard, and delivered them out of all their distresses.”

Those who make יהוה their strength and their shield will not have His faced turned away from them!

In verse 10 the psalmists makes it clear that there was no better place to be than in service of Elohim, for a day in His courts is better than 1000 anywhere else.

Where would you rather be?

Would you choose to be a doorkeeper? A doorkeeper is a picture of a Lĕwite who was in service in the Tabernacle or Temple! A day in the courts of Elohim signifies the ability to sit and listen to the clear right-rulings and commands of Elohim. Choosing to be a doorkeeper also emphasises the desire to be one who watches over the Word of Elohim as we also need to be reminded that the commands of Elohim are to be written upon the doorposts of our homes and therefore the imagery here is clear – the psalmist has chosen to be a faithful servant that guards the commands. We have already mentioned what the Hebrew word for servant is, yet when we see this word in the pictographic script we gain a better understanding of the clear desire that this psalmist expressed:

The Hebrew word for servant is עֶבֶדeḇeḏ – Strong’s H5650 meaning, ‘servant, slave, bondservant’ and in the ancient script the word עֶבֶדeḇeḏ is pictured as:

Ayin - עֶ

The original pictograph for this letter is and represents the idea of seeing and watching, as well as knowledge as the eye is the window of knowledge

Beyt - בֶ:

The ancient script has this letter as , which pictures a tent floor plan and means, ‘house’ or ‘tent’. It represents family and the importance of those who are inside the tent as opposed to the tent structure itself.

Dalet - ד

The ancient script has this letter as and is pictured as a ‘tent door’. It can also have the meaning of a back and forth movement as one goes back and forth through a tent door and so speaks of an access point. It can also carry the meaning of ‘dangle’ or hanging as the tent door would hang from the roof pole of the tent. It speaks a great deal in terms of understanding the door of the tent of appointment as the only means of access.

When we look at this word in the ancient script for a servant, we can see that it speaks of:

ONE WHO WATCHES AT THE DOOR OF THE HOUSE

This is what our Master calls us to do; and when we consider that יהושע Messiah is The Door, then we further see our need to continually be looking at Him, guarding to do all His commands – and this is how we too keep watch over the House/Body of Messiah!

The psalmist of Tehillah/psalm 84 made it clear that he chose to be one who watches at the door of the House of Elohim and had no desire to dwell in the tents of the wrong. Here we are able to see a play on words as we take note of the difference between the words House and tents, for we know that tents are temporary dwelling while a House represents a permanent structure. The Dwelling Place of Elohim has permanence, while the tents of the wrong shall be destroyed! While we sojourn here as faithful ambassadors of our Master’s coming reign and sojourn in ‘tents of righteousness’ and make sure that we gather at the Appointed Times of Elohim so that we may be equipped to enter into His rest and the permanence of His House, we are to be on guard against the tents of the wrong who shall not enter the rest of Elohim but shall be destroyed for lawlessness and wickedness. We are called to hear, guard and do all our Master commands and not be found sitting in the tents of the wrong and learning their false ways!

In verse 11 we see that יהוה is a sun and a shield and this can symbolise the picture of Elohim being both our guide and protector. The image of ‘sun’ or ‘light’ in Scripture is often one that is used to describe knowledge, insight and understanding where darkness or that which has no sun or light represents ignorance and lack of knowledge or blindness. The Hebrew word for ‘shield’ comes from the word מָגֵןmagen – Strong’s H4043 which means, ‘shield, buckler, defence’, and is also understood as representing ‘a wall of protection’.

As already mentioned, in verse 11 we are told that יהוה withholds no good matter from those who walk blamelessly!

The Hebrew word that is used here for ‘walk’ is הָלַךְhalaḵ - Strong’s H1980 whichcarries the meaning, ‘to walk, to live, manner of life, cause to live’, and literally speaks of how one lives. It is used as a verb indicating that it is an active expression of one’s life and also carries the meaning, ‘to go, to walk, come, proceed, depart, move, go away, to die, live, manner of life (figuratively)’.

The ancient script has this letter pictured as , which is ‘a man standing with his arms raised out’. The meaning of the letter is “behold, look, breath, sigh and reveal or revelation”, from the idea of revealing a great sight by pointing it out. It also carries for us the meaning of surrender, as we lift up our hands and submit to יהוה as we lift our hands in praise, declaring His authority under which we humbly submit!

Lamed - לַ:

The ancient script has this letter as , and is pictured as a ‘shepherd’s staff’, can give the meaning of ‘to or toward’ and can represent that which pushes or pulls a flock in a direction, and can speak of authority or a yoke that is used to lead and guide, as well as the ability to bring back by Authority.

Kaph - ךְ:

The ancient form of this letter is - meaning ‘the open palm of a hand’. The meaning behind this letter is ‘to bend and curve’ from the shape of a palm as well as ‘to tame or subdue’ as one has been bent to another’s will (under their hand), as an open hand symbolises submission. This also can picture for us a palm or palm branch from the curved palm shape. The hand also speaks of one’s work, or under whose hand you submit and obey!

When we look at the letters that spell out the root word that for ‘walk’ we are able to see a great declaration:

Behold the staff in the palm!

With the picture of the shepherds staff and the open palm of the hand we are able to see the concept of ‘staff in the palm’ and we take note that a nomad that travelled on foot would have a staff in his hand in order to provide proper support in walking, as well as having a weapon in his hand to defend against predators and thieves!

When we walk as we should we submit under the proper authority of our Good Shepherd and guard to do all He has commanded us to as we give Him the proper praise in all we do; being armed in His Truth that gives us boldness to walk upright amidst a crooked world, as we strive to serve in perfection and walk blamelessly!

How is your walk? Where would you rather be? This Psalmist knew where he wanted to be!

Shemuʼěl Bět/2 Samuel 22:31 “The Ěl – His way is perfect; The Word of יהוהis proven; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.”

The Way of Elohim is the Perfect Way and His Word has been proven! Will you take refuge in that which is perfect and proven? Will you serve in perfection and walk blamelessly?

Tehillah/Psalm 119:1 “Blessed are the perfect in the way, who walk in the Torah of יהוה!”

Mishlĕ/proverbs 11:20 “The perverse of heart are an abomination to יהוה, But the perfect in the Way are His delight.”

In verse 12 (verse 13 in Hebrew text) we see the psalmist ending with the final blessing of this song that declares how the one who trusts in יהוה is blessed!

The Hebrew word that is translated here as ‘trust’ is from the primitive root verb בָּטַחbataḥ – Strong’s H982 which carries the meaning, ‘to trust, be bold, confident, be secure, courageous’. It is a true blessing to trust in יהוה:

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 17:7-8 “Blessed is the man who trusts in יהוה, and whose trust is יהוה. 8 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and does not see when heat comes. And his leaf shall be green, and in the year of drought he is not anxious, nor does he cease from yielding fruit.”

For more on ‘trust in יהוה’ please see the notes of a message called, ‘THE STEADFAST HAVE PEACE FOR THEY TRUST IN יהוה!’, which can be found on our site (http://atfotc.com) under the sermons 2015/2016 menu or by clicking on the following link:

Trusting ion יהוה entails a walk that is blameless, i.e. walking in the Highway of Set-Apartness and being a doorkeeper, guarding the commands of Elohim and the entrance that he has purchased for us by His own Blood and be diligent in working out our deliverance with fear and trembling!

As we consider the powerful words of this Tehillah/Psalm 84 may you be encouraged, strengthened, equipped and inspired to:

SERVE IN PERFECTION AND WALK BLAMELESSLY!

יהוה bless you and guard you; יהוה make His face shine upon you and show you favour; יהוה lift up His face to you and give you Shalom!